Rhode Island lawmakers applaud transparency over Mount Pleasant High School
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — After considering shutting down Mount Pleasant High School, the Department of Education and Providence Public School Department decided Monday night to keep it open.
The Department of Education is now working to decide whether to renovate the school or start from scratch.
“We thank them for their commitment to avoid full closure of the school itself and a continued consideration to remodel the existing building,” Sen. Sam Bell and Rep. David Morales said in part in a joint release.
Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez said the district has lost 3,000 students over the past five years and expects to lose another 3,000 over the next five years.
“To run these buildings that we have, it costs millions a year,” Montañez told ABC 6 News Monday. “But it’s bigger than I am. It’s bigger than we are. It’s about giving our students what they deserve for the future.”
Late last year, because of crumbling buildings and low enrollment numbers, some schools announced they were closing.
The Providence Public School District is expected to hold more community meetings before a decision is made on Mount Pleasant’s future.
“We believe robust community engagement is vital for a decision of this magnitude. We encourage all community members to share their voices as this process unfolds,” said the lawmakers.
